Call for Computers in Cells for Juvenile Detainees

The rate of reoffending for juvenile detainees is twice as high as that of adults, with more than half of young offenders reoffending upon release. Despite this, juvenile offenders are not offered the same opportunities as adults for rehabilitation. While the justice system is failing young detainees, it costs taxpayer’s a staggering $500,000 a year for each child to be held in detention.

Although some adult prisons have had secure access to computers in cells for many years, youth detainees have not been afforded these same benefits in any Australian jurisdiction. Access to computers in cells would allow young detainees to use their time in a productive and potentially therapeutic manner.

Computers in cells replace passive TV watching with access to education, counselling, family, peers and external authorities in a safe and cost-effective way. It would provide detainees with a wider range of therapy providers and maintain continuity of care from service providers before and after release. Online counselling services have also been shown to be more effective than face-to-face counselling.

Justice Action is a non-for-profit community organisation representing individuals from Australian prisons and hospitals. We defend human rights in the hardest places and have a longstanding commitment to Juvenile Justice.

We ask for your support in our Computers in Cells campaign to ensure that all children are granted the same opportunities to flourish and look forward to a better future.